MANUS Core
MANUS Core is middleware for MANUS gloves that turns finger movement into hand data for robotics, VR/XR, research, and live performance.
What MANUS Core is
MANUS Core is middleware for MANUS gloves that turns finger movement into hand data for robotics, VR/XR, research, and live performance. Its Advanced Hand Solver calibrates in seconds and recreates movements in 3D; Core 3.2 allows customized finger dimensions. The software provides sensor, skeleton, and retargeted hand data, and calculates ergonomic measures such as joint flexion and hyper-extension. The Robotics License includes FBX and CSV recording and export, streaming to Unity, Unreal Engine, and OpenXR, raw sensor data, C++ and Python SDKs, a ROS2 package, NVIDIA Isaac Teleop support, and Linux integration. The Motion Capture License is aimed at mocap, previz, animation, and XR, with integrations for motion-capture and visualization systems and Ableton Live. An instance supports up to 16 glove pairs, though external streaming capacity may depend on the receiving system. Both editions have annual subscription and perpetual options, with pricing on request. Subscriptions stop working when they end; perpetual licenses continue on the owned version after the first year. The company is based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and was founded in 2014.
Good
- Provides sensor, skeleton, and retargeted hand data.
- Supports up to 16 glove pairs per instance.
- Robotics edition includes C++ and Python SDKs.
- Perpetual license keeps running on the owned version.
- Linux and ARM64 support is available through SDK and ROS 2.
Watch out
- Pricing is available on request.
- Subscriptions stop working when they end.
- External streaming capacity may depend on the receiving system.
Who it suits
The Robotics License suits robotics developers and researchers who need glove-derived hand data and software integrations. The Motion Capture License is intended for mocap, previz, animation, and XR workflows.
Verdict
MANUS Core offers distinct robotics and motion-capture editions, with data, export, and integration options tailored to those workflows. Check the license terms and receiving system’s capacity before choosing an edition.
Plans and prices
From MANUS Core's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Capture License — Annual Subscription | — | Up to 16 pairs of MANUS gloves per MANUS Core instance · updates and technical support while subscribed · Billed annually; request a quote. |
| Motion Capture License — Perpetual License | — | Up to 16 pairs of MANUS gloves per MANUS Core instance · includes one year of updates and technical support · One-time purchase; request a quote. |
| Robotics License — Annual Subscription | — | Up to 16 pairs of MANUS gloves per MANUS Core instance · updates and technical support while subscribed · Billed annually; request a quote. |
| Robotics License — Perpetual License | — | Up to 16 pairs of MANUS gloves per MANUS Core instance · includes one year of updates and technical support · One-time purchase; request a quote. |
The facts
Each one read from MANUS Core's own pages, with the date it was checked.
The company
- Company history and audience
- MANUS says it has developed from VR gaming gloves since 2014 and that its solutions are used by more than 2,000 robotics companies, AI research labs, XR developers, and motion capture studios.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Eindhoven, The Netherlandschecked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
- Data types
- Core provides sensor, skeleton, and retargeted hand data, and calculates ergonomic metrics such as joint flexion and hyper-extension.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker's download page lists Core installers and SDK downloads for Windows and Linux, including a Linux SDK with ROS2 package.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Glove capacity
- Each MANUS Core instance supports up to 16 pairs of MANUS gloves, though the usable count when streaming externally may depend on the receiving system.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Hand solver
- The Advanced Hand Solver calibrates in seconds and recreates hand movements in 3D, with customizable finger dimensions in Core 3.2.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists integrations including OptiTrack Motive, Xsens MVN, Unity, Unreal Engine, Nokov XingYing, Qualisys QTM, MotionBuilder, and Luster3D Motar.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License terms
- Both editions are offered as annual subscriptions or perpetual licenses; a perpetual license keeps running on the owned version after its first year, while a subscription stops working when the subscription ends.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Motion capture edition
- The Motion Capture License is designed for mocap, previz, animation, and XR workflows and includes integrations with third-party motion capture and visualization systems and Ableton Live.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MANUS Core is middleware for MANUS gloves that visualizes finger movement and records, exports, and streams hand data for robotics, VR/XR, research, and live performance.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Robotics edition
- The Robotics License includes FBX and CSV recording and export, Unity, Unreal Engine and OpenXR streaming, raw sensor data, C++ and Python SDKs, a ROS2 package, NVIDIA Isaac Teleop support, and Linux integration.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Both license types include software updates and technical support for the applicable included or subscription period.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux and ARM
- The product page says MANUS has native ARM64 support for robotics platforms through the Linux SDK and ROS 2 package.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to MANUS Core
- 1
XR Animator
Free planOpen sourceAndroidWebLinuxmacOS8.5Free plan - 2
Move AI
Free planiOSWebAPILinux8.2From $18 a month - 3
Rokoko Create
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From $12 a month - 4
Rokoko Studio
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2Free plan - 5
Animaze
Free planAndroidiOSAPImacOS8.1From $19.99 a year - 6
Plask Motion
Free planWebAPIExtensionmacOS7.8From $18 a month